Method of controlling subterranean streams



E. MURRAY.

METHOD OF CONTROLLING SUBTEBRANEAN STREAMS.

PPPPP CA-TION FILED APR 25.1919.

1,374,945. Patented Apr. 19,1921.

I l l I siren STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ED MURRAY, OF LINCOLN, NEBRASKA.

mn'rnon or CONTROLLING sun'rnnnannmv srnnA vrs] Application filed April 25,

- scription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to a method of and means for controlling the flow of subterranean streams whereby the water may be preliminarily stored or caused to accumulate for the purpose of utilizing it as a power medium as, for example, by directing it from a conduit to a source of consumption such as a water turbine or the like.

It is well known that subterranean streams generally flow incessantly and it is gener-- ally estimated that there is a drop of at least seven feet to the mile. It is, therefore, obvious that if the power of such stream could be utilized for industrial or commercial purposes, a very valuable adjunct to the industrial development of a community would be provided.

In carrying out my invention I prefer to erect a barrier across the stream to impound the water and direct it through a conduit or flume from which it may be discharged to a hydraulic motor as, for example, a water turbine. In practice I prefer to have a drop in the fiume less than the natural drop of the flowing stream so that water may accumulate at least as fast as it is consumed, the off-take generally being less than the amount of water accumulated. I have found that a reservoir may be provided by erecting two converging walls in the path of the stream and extending these walls downwardly to a point at least beneath the water gravel as, for example, upon bed rock or shale, removing the dirt from between the walls and erecting a conduit or fiume at the point of convergence of the walls so that the accumulated water will be directed thereto to be discharged against a suitable hydraulic motor. The walls may extend a suitable distance above the ground so that there will be a sur- 1819. Serial No. 292,531.

face accumulation of water and for convenience I may erect the flume upon the ground below theextended water level so that there Wlll be hydraulic pressure exerted through the fiume against the hydraulic motor, the pressure depending upon the size of the reservoir and the back pressure of the water confined therein.

In the drawings, Figure I is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through a reservoir and the flume constructed in accordance with my invention, and

Fig. II is a plan view of the same. Referring now to the drawings by numerals of reference:

1 and 2 designate two vertical converging walls submerged a suitable distance below the ground as, for example, below the water gravel or bed of the subterranean stream- By fwater gravel I mean the strata through whlch the subterranean stream flows.

which may consist of a layer of concreteor similar material so that a basin 8 is formed.

The basin is preferably covered or roofed over by a suitable roofing 9,which may 0011- v I an outlet 5. There is spaced across the walls in front of the flume a perforate wall or guard 6 to prevent any solid matter passing through the flume 3. The inlet to the flume 3 is provided with a sliding-gate valve 10 of usual construction, which may be operated in any well known manner.

The fiume generally rests upon the ground and will have a drop less than the natural drop of the subterranean stream so that the water will flow through the flume atavelocity less than th velocity ofthe stream and thereby permit an initial accumulation specification'of-Letters Patent. Patented Aplxlg, 1921.

The dirt is then removed from between the walls and a flooring 7 is preferably provided,

which may assist in increasing the velocity 1 through the flumedueto hydrostatic pressure due to such accumulation. The diverging walls and the water gate constitute a barrier in the path of the flow of the stream so that the water accumulated in the basin can pass out only through the fiume 3.

It will, therefore, be apparent that the power may be derived from. the natural flow of the subterranean stream in a most eifitapping the barrier near the top thereof to cient manner. provide a water supply.

Having thus described my inventiomwhat 2. In combination with a subterranean I claim as new therein, and desire to secure stream, of converging walls extending from 5 by Letters-Patent, is: V p the bed of the stream to a point above the 15 1. The method of controlling subterraearths surface, and a fiume connected tothe nean streams which consists in erecting a walls at the point of convergence, said flume barrier across the path of flow of the stream being above the subterranean stream.

below the surface of the earth and extend- In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

10 ing the barrier above the earths surface, and ED MURRAY. 

